Reptiles, Amphibians, and Tarantulas

Rusty the Red Rat Snake

While not native to Ohio, Rusty the red rat snake is closely related to Ohio's black rat snake.

Tank and Shelly the Eastern Box Turtles

Most turtles are animals that people illegally confiscate from the wild and cannot be returned to prevent spread of disease. Eastern box turtles need to be returned to their home territory or will not survive. Most box turtles spend their entire lives -- which can exceed 100 years -- within 250 yards of the nests where they were born. A box turtle makes a mental map of its home territory and knows exactly where to find food throughout the year. If removed from its home territory, it will make every effort to return. It probably will succeed if moved less than a mile or two away, but probably not if moved further; although it may try for years. We strongly suggest leaving turtles alone. If you see one trying to cross the road, help it by taking it to the side that it was heading in, NOT the direction it was coming from.

Rose the Chilean Rose Haired Tarantula

This is Rose, our Chilean rose haired tarantula. Again, though tarantulas are not native to Ohio, they are awesome tools for teaching about the benefits of spiders.